Wireless Networks for Schools
When schools address the issue of integrating technology into their educational programs and become 21st century focused classes, they are confronted with technical components which are indispensable. That is what I like to call, ‘IT platform for 21st-century education’.
An efficient technological platform entails several components that are required as a base for what will come next, the incorporation of technology in the curriculum.
Essential components include Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Internet Bandwidth, Web Filters, Files Storage and Accessibility, Communication Channels, Grading Programs, Hardware and Software, and Information and Educational Tech Support.
Even if these items appear to be obvious, the truth is that many schools are not aware, or have been inappropriately informed of the drawbacks of not having these components in place before implementing technology in education.
It’s sad to see how some schools” throw away” their money buying tech “goodies” that are not used, or given very little use. And find out that other schools dissipate their budget in implementations that don’t satisfy the requirements and expected outcomes. Or, other schools that just do not know these components are needed to successfully integrate technology into their curriculum.
Wireless Local Area Network
A wireless local area network (WLAN) links two or more devices using some wireless distribution method, usually providing a connection through access points to the broader internet. It gives user’s mobility within a local coverage area and at the same time connection to the network.
As students and teachers increasingly rely on laptops, tablets and other mobile devices for teaching and learning, wireless networks become an essential infrastructure in schools.
A wireless connection gives greater flexibility to students and teachers as it permits access to the network in diverse parts of the school as opposed to having to gain access from fixed locations. This is an essential component of 21st-century education; learn at anytime and from anywhere.
At the lack of a robust Wi-Fi network, every classroom will have to be used as a computer lab. Wired classes are probably not the optimal solution for schools that aim to integrate technology.
As in everything in the world, when a local wireless network is to be implemented, schools are compelled to hire well-proven professionals in the field as well as excellent providers. And they have to be assured that the Technology Head, or Director, has a sound understanding and knowledge to manage the installation and the implementation in a successful way.
These are most important points to consider and take into account before implementing local wireless networks in schools:
- Identify the number of student and teacher devices that will be using the network at any point in time in specific places around the school. It is essential to identify the areas where more users are going to be accessing the Wi-Fi Network. Optimum configurations suggest having a maximum of 30 users per Access Point (a device that allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network using Wi-Fi standards). There are other network devices capable of handling more users simultaneously without affecting performance.
- The access point locations: Wireless signals are weakened by reflection and absorption from walls, glass, water, people and similar objects. It is essential to consider these elements to avoid surprises in the future. The presence of large clusters of electrical or telecommunications equipment, two-way radios, cordless telephones and microwave ovens also might affect the performance.
- The wireless network must follow IEEE 802.11 standards; this is a set of rules for implementing wireless local area network (WLAN) computer communication in the 2.4, 3.6 and 5 GHz frequency bands. These standards provide the basis for wireless network products using the Wi-Fi brand name.
- Another component is to define the protocols that are going to be available on the Wi-Fi Network; the most popular ones are 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n. The enhanced security and the network throughput feature of the protocol 802.11n worth the extra investment.
- The capability of the solution to create and configure Virtual LAN Networks (VLAN’s). A VLAN is a network of computers that behave as if they are connected to the same wire even though they may be physically located on different segments of a LAN. VLAN’s offer higher performance for medium and large LAN’s because they limit broadcasts. As the amount of traffic and the number of devices grow, so does the number of broadcast packets. By using VLAN’s, you contain broadcasts.
- Wireless Roaming is also essential to consider. Roaming ensures that the wireless device is kept connected to the network, without losing the connection no matter the location in the school as long as it has signal coverage. It functions in the same way as cellular phones do.
- Centralized Wi-Fi administration provides several advantages and manageability that will free maintenance time to the tech support team so they can focus on more critical tasks.
Since the performance of wireless networks is more variable than that of wired LANs; variations in performance can be attributed to numerous factors that can affect connectivity and the data transfer rate, so it is essential to review the elements explained above. Any severe provider should include all those details in their proposals.
